9 Writing Rules from the Late William Safire

William Safire, who died last September, was, among other things, a longtime columnist and clever commentator on writing issues. Enjoy these pearls.

1. Do not put statements in the negative form.
2. And don’t start sentences with a conjunction.
3. If you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
4. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
5. Unqualified superlatives are the worst of all.
6. De-accession euphemisms.
7. If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
8. Avoid trendy locutions that sound flaky.
9. Last, but not least, avoid clichés like the plague.

(From Great Rules of Writing by William Safire)